Parramatta's Kaysa Pritchard’s season is in doubt after pectoral tear

Just like Luke Keary did in the corresponding tournament last year, Parramatta hooker Kaysa Pritchard's season is in doubt after he tore his pectoral in the Eels opening Auckland Nines match.

While he faces a significant stint on the sideline, the luckless Pritchard will hope Keary's injury is somewhat of a good omen after the Rabbitohs' five-eighth returned to the NRL in round 17 before helping South Sydney break their premiership drought.

Pritchard was the only major casualty in day one of the tournament. He tore the pectoral as he tried to make a regulation tackle in the dying stages of the opening game, in which the Eels beat Manly 22-17.

"My headspace is not too bad, considering," Pritchard said. "I knew something was wrong with my shoulder and I made another tackle and I was there and I had to but I knew straight away my shoulder and pec were gone. I had to stick in there until I got off.

"I made two more tackles and I was struggling so I walked straight off the field. I go back on Monday and see the specialists."

Shoulder and knee injuries meant Pritchard, 20, played just one top grade game last year, having made his top grade debut in 2013.

"To have my first pre-season in three years, and to come back in the first game and do this, I'm spewing," Pritchard said. "These things happen. I just have to recover and come back stronger and better."

The injury soured the tournament for the Eels, who won their opening two games, beating Newcastle 21-15 in Pritchard's absence. They'll secure a finals spot should they beat St George Illawarra in the first game of day two.